Volunteering for Youth & Under 30s

Volunteering is a great way to give something back, looks good on CVs and applications, lets you meet new people and is fun! Plus, if you're aged 14-25, you can be recognised through Millennium Volunteers.

What makes people like you volunteer? Well, here's your chance to see what they are all about

What does your volunteering involve? St Johns Ambulance  Assisting at community events, being available to provide support with any incident that might arise. Attending meetings to update knowledge and training; helping to train new members.
Stroke Ward  Spent 2 hours each Monday chatting to and listening to the stroke patients, I was basically a companion for those couple of hours. Some patients may not have had a visitor in days so they loved to chat about everything and anything!
Church, Pope John Paul ll Award, Pilgrimage to Lourdes 
On a weekly basis I would help take up the collection, help with any fundraising events, preparing the church for special events by involving the children in making and displaying art work. The duties all culminated in preparation for being a companion for a pilgrim who was going to Lourdes. I assisted them by being there to push their wheelchair, bring them to the shop and help give them any assistance to make their trip easier.
Voluntary Service Overseas  ICS International Citizen Service, Currently I am volunteering in Nigeria for 3 months. I am helping young people have a safe learning environment and improving educational rights. I will be involved in organising community action days to raise awareness, school debates & quizzes, fun practical games for learning. The overall aim is to inspire young people to want a better life for themselves and their community. Promoting education in the hope of combating poverty!

What do you enjoy most about volunteering and what has been your highlight? Knowing that I am putting someone else first, or helping in some small way, for some length of time feels good. Its not about recognition for all the voluntary work but knowing that I have offered my services, even if it is just being there; their smile lets me know it has been worth it!
My highlight was being a companion on the pilgrimage to Lourdes, especially when I received a letter of thanks a month later from the lady I helped! This made it all worthwhile!